---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's definitely hard when you're putting…"
description: "\"It's definitely hard when you're putting in the work and the guy who's starting isn't, especially if he's overhyped or you're not winning. I can't imag..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/matt-hasselbeck-32104_backup_it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting_2733346.jpg"
---

#  It's definitely hard when you're putting in the work and…

![“It's definitely hard when you're putting in the work and the guy who's starting isn't, especially if he's overhyped or you're not winning. I can't imagine how hard it would be to be that guy's backup.” quote by Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/matt-hasselbeck-32104_backup_it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting_2733346.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/matt-hasselbeck-32104_backup_it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting_2733346.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/matt-hasselbeck-32104_backup_it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting_2733346.jpg)

> “It's definitely hard when you're putting in the work and the guy who's starting isn't, especially if he's overhyped or you're not winning. I can't imagine how hard it would be to be that guy's backup.”

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Feeling eclipsed by a less‑prepared teammate can be frustrating, especially when expectations are high and success feels uneven.

**In simple terms:** Being outperformed by a less‑prepared teammate feels unfair.

Key Takeaway

Focus on personal growth despite others' performance.

Themes

competition team dynamics expectations frustration

Mood

frustrated hopeful

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- coaching
- team meetings
- personal development plans

Key Concepts

fairness leadership performance pressure

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you support a teammate who is underperforming?
- What strategies help you stay motivated when you’re not the primary contributor?

A Different Perspective

Team dynamics are complex; individual effort isn’t always visible.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Putting In The Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/putting-in-the-work/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm just another guy starting out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-tebow/i-m-just-another-guy-starting-out/)

[Tim Tebow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-tebow/)

> [What happends If the girl is playing hard to get? And the guy is playing hard to get? Willl they ever be together?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/what-happends-if-the-girl-is-playing-hard-to-get-and-the-guy-is/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Man. Being mostly dead is hard on a guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/man-being-mostly-dead-is-hard-on-a-guy/)

[Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/)

> [I'm a hard guy to hit and take down, and once I get you on the ground I'm going to choke you out. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aljamain-sterling/i-m-a-hard-guy-to-hit-and-take-down-and-once-i-get-you-on-the-ground/)

[Aljamain Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aljamain-sterling/)

> [I'm a hard guy to live with. I'm like a caged animal. I'm up all night walking around the living room. It's hard for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/i-m-a-hard-guy-to-live-with-i-m-like-a-caged-animal-i-m-up-all-night/)

[Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/)

> [It's hard being the guy that brings in a song, because you're very, you know, it can be something that you get too sensitive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-britt-daniel/it-s-hard-being-the-guy-that-brings-in-a-song-because-you-re-very-you/)

[John Britt Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-britt-daniel/)

> [“I might not be the best guy for you right now, and I know that, but I’m going to try Aubrey. I’m going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mclean/i-might-not-be-the-best-guy-for-you-right-now-and-i-know-that-but-i-m/)

[Jay McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mclean/)

> [Gonna be hard to find a guy when you push them away so easily. It's gonna make it hard on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/gonna-be-hard-to-find-a-guy-when-you-push-them-away-so-easily-it-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It was definitely a hard decision to turn professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cain/it-was-definitely-a-hard-decision-to-turn-professional/)

[Mary Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cain/)

> [It's definitely been a hard journey, one with lots of ups and downs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-bellerin/it-s-definitely-been-a-hard-journey-one-with-lots-of-ups-and-downs/)

[Hector Bellerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-bellerin/)

> [A lot of people say I'm hard-headed. And I'm definitely hard-headed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicente-luque/a-lot-of-people-say-i-m-hard-headed-and-i-m-definitely-hard-headed/)

[Vicente Luque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicente-luque/)

> [I think it's definitely hard for the people who just out of nowhere come in and they do really well and all of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-keys/i-think-it-s-definitely-hard-for-the-people-who-just-out-of-nowhere/)

[Madison Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-keys/)

> [I definitely had a hard time leaving for college because I'm not much of a risk-taker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/i-definitely-had-a-hard-time-leaving-for-college-because-i-m-not-much/)

[Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/)

> [It's definitely hard, it's hard to get into a Monday, it's much easier to work through a weekend and accomplish a lot, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-amoruso/it-s-definitely-hard-it-s-hard-to-get-into-a-monday-it-s-much-easier/)

[Sophia Amoruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-amoruso/)

> [When we're not doing good, it's definitely hard for us to smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-tatis-jr/when-we-re-not-doing-good-it-s-definitely-hard-for-us-to-smile/)

[Fernando Tatis Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-tatis-jr/)

## More by Matt Hasselbeck

> [That's who we are. That's partly why we've been successful. Spread it around and run our stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/that-s-who-we-are-that-s-partly-why-we-ve-been-successful-spread-it/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [Arm strength, I think, is a thing that's, like, incredibly overrated in the NFL.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/arm-strength-i-think-is-a-thing-that-s-like-incredibly-overrated-in/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [It was the first car accident I had ever been in. It shakes you up a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/it-was-the-first-car-accident-i-had-ever-been-in-it-shakes-you-up-a/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [One of those professional drivers hit one of those blockade barriers. It was the first car accident I have ever been in, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/one-of-those-professional-drivers-hit-one-of-those-blockade-barriers/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [I like to use my Larry Bird analogy, because I'm from Boston. It must have been frustrating playing behind Larry Bird. Because no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/i-like-to-use-my-larry-bird-analogy-because-i-m-from-boston-it-must/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [Coaches coach guys on the field. I get to spend time with practice squad receivers and tight ends or a young center who's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/coaches-coach-guys-on-the-field-i-get-to-spend-time-with-practice/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [What you find is that the better you are at listening, the better friend you are, the better person you are, the better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/what-you-find-is-that-the-better-you-are-at-listening-the-better/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [I would say I'm very surprised it went down the way it did. I thought it was a possibility, but when I left for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/i-would-say-i-m-very-surprised-it-went-down-the-way-it-did-i-thought/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [When you get frustrated you try to do too much, you try to make stuff up that's not there, and you play outside yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/when-you-get-frustrated-you-try-to-do-too-much-you-try-to-make-stuff/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [The Seahawks have only been around since 1976, so our fan base is relatively young. You talk about the Patriots, or the Celtics or,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/the-seahawks-have-only-been-around-since-1976-so-our-fan-base-is/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [Politics can be very mean and dirty. The things politicians say about each other, and what activists say, I had a brief glimpse of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/politics-can-be-very-mean-and-dirty-the-things-politicians-say-about/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [We want the ball, and we’re going to score](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/we-want-the-ball-and-we-re-going-to-score/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [Reality is, you have to work harder the older you get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/reality-is-you-have-to-work-harder-the-older-you-get/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [Growing up in Boston, I was always Matt, Son of Former New England Patriot Don. And then when my brother Tim was a senior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/growing-up-in-boston-i-was-always-matt-son-of-former-new-england/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

> [I don't feel old. Okay, maybe I do when I get in a conversation with Earl Thomas, who was born in 1989.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/i-don-t-feel-old-okay-maybe-i-do-when-i-get-in-a-conversation-with/)

[Matt Hasselbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

[Explore all 16 Matt Hasselbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/)

## More Backup quotes

> [If God is not with us, we do not want to continue. If the Sermon on the Mount is simply impractical, our mission work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-baker/if-god-is-not-with-us-we-do-not-want-to-continue-if-the-sermon-on-the/)

[Heidi Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-baker/)

> [I thought I would make it (to the NBA). I believed that I would make it. But I had a Plan B. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-johnson/i-thought-i-would-make-it-to-the-nba-i-believed-that-i-would-make-it/)

[Avery Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-johnson/)

> [When we have all data online it will be great for humanity. It is a prerequisite to solving many problems that humankind faces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cailliau/when-we-have-all-data-online-it-will-be-great-for-humanity-it-is-a/)

[Robert Cailliau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cailliau/)

> [But I love singing, and I've been singing backup for friends' bands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alia-shawkat/but-i-love-singing-and-i-ve-been-singing-backup-for-friends-bands/)

[Alia Shawkat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alia-shawkat/)

> [Don't let uncertainty talk you into pursuing a backup plan instead of your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/don-t-let-uncertainty-talk-you-into-pursuing-a-backup-plan-instead-of/)

[Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/)

> [I was in 'Seussical,' and I was in a cage onstage in a purple yarn suit singing backup, and I was like: 'I've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-nicholaw/i-was-in-seussical-and-i-was-in-a-cage-onstage-in-a-purple-yarn-suit/)

[Casey Nicholaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-nicholaw/)

> [I like to go full bore into something. If you have a backup plan, then you've already admitted defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cavill/i-like-to-go-full-bore-into-something-if-you-have-a-backup-plan-then/)

[Henry Cavill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cavill/)

> [Life is about falling Living is about getting backup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-hillesland/life-is-about-falling-living-is-about-getting-backup/)

Kari Hillesland

> [My family was always very supportive. Whether you're an actor or not, everybody hears the horror stories of people going to L.A. and trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/my-family-was-always-very-supportive-whether-you-re-an-actor-or-not/)

[Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/)

> [“Always have a backup plan to the backup plan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/always-have-a-backup-plan-to-the-backup-plan/)

[Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/)

> [What did Isabelle want?" Jace asked. Alec hesitated. "Isabelle says the Queen of the Seelie Court has requested an audience with us." "Sure," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-did-isabelle-want-jace-asked-alec-hesitated-isabelle-says-the/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [When I was at the 'Philadelphia Inquirer,' I was promoted nine times in my first 13 years. I ultimately went from general assignment to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/when-i-was-at-the-philadelphia-inquirer-i-was-promoted-nine-times-in/)

[Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/)

> [You might be a redneck if the dog catcher calls for a backup unit when he visits your house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-the-dog-catcher-calls-for-a-backup-unit/)

[Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/)

> [As a kid, Terry Bradshaw didn't amaze me. My hero was Steelers backup Terry Hanratty, who nabbed two Super Bowl rings while completing three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-rodrick/as-a-kid-terry-bradshaw-didn-t-amaze-me-my-hero-was-steelers-backup/)

[Stephen Rodrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-rodrick/)

> [A well-defined backup plan is sabotage waiting to happen. Why push through the dip, why take the risk, why blow it all when there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/a-well-defined-backup-plan-is-sabotage-waiting-to-happen-why-push/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

Browse all 161 Backup quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's definitely hard when you're putting in the work and the guy who's starting isn't, especially if he's overhyped or you're not winning. I can't imagine how hard it would be to be that guy's backup.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Matt Hasselbeck"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting-in-the-work-and-the-guy-who/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Backup"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting-in-the-work-and-the-guy-who/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/matt-hasselbeck-32104_backup_it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting_2733346.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/matt-hasselbeck-32104_backup_it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting_2733346.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/matt-hasselbeck-32104_backup_it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting_2733346.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's definitely hard when you're putting in the work and the guy who's starting isn't, especially if he's…” — Matt Hasselbeck",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Matt Hasselbeck",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hasselbeck/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's definitely hard when you're putting...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting-in-the-work-and-the-guy-who/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hasselbeck/it-s-definitely-hard-when-you-re-putting-in-the-work-and-the-guy-who/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
